New from Naim – Solstice Special Edition turntable

This is far from the experience everyone has.

When I started with digital audio in 2011, a ton of “fannying about” was needed, even with a Naim UnitiServe. One erroneous character in the name of a downloaded file and the uServe would not see the file nor any beyond it. There was a somewhat endless series of issues like that. And don’t get me started on how to set up the uServe to do its automated backup to a nas . . .

Things are much easier in 2021, yes. As evidenced by the significant reduction in ‘my app can’t find my streamer or my music’ threads.

But I submit that the comparison is valid. In no small part because I raised it.

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I don’t think they are constantly adjusting them, and never meant to imply that.

Hmm.

Well you used the term fiddling and likened VTA, Azimuth adjustment to “endless messing about with switches and cables”

I totally disagree. It is a ludicrous comparison. Yes, you can buy switches/cables, but once that’s done, it’s done; home audio doesn’t get more ‘plug and play’ than streaming.

@Mr.Tibbs
Hi
I did run the belt though a soft cotton cloth once a year when I did the plug in and out thing for dusting.
But never upset the deck faffing about. :thinking: :wink:

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Sometimes I think you take issue with my posts just for the sake of it. You think it’s ludicrous, I don’t.

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I got one on eBay for ~£3 inc. P&P. It came from China too (of course).

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Don’t be paranoid; I don’t disagree with all of your posts. It’s no biggie. In the words of the great Jimmy Tarbuck in “winner takes all”, we’ll just have to agree to disagree.

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Let’s try to be civil with one another and respectful of different points of view to our own. Thanks

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As you know I have the P10 like you. I discovered that the balance scale on the tonearm is far from accurate.
I strongly recommend a stylus balance gauge to set up the weight properly. You can find for 20 euros on Amazon.

That’s good advice thanks, though I want to avoid the tax avoiding, staff exploiting Amazon. I can imagine that a lot of the el cheapo ones are no better than the arm’s own dial. If anyone can recommend a modestly priced one that actually works reliably and is well made I’d be most grateful.

I tried an el cheapo one from Amazon but it died within a year. I now have the Rega digital balance and it’s really good quality, as you would hope for the price.

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I found the Digitnow accurate. Tried 3 times and each time it was 1,72 g that I needed.
image

Get a Technics SH-50P1. A bona fide classic for very good reason, and, as a bonus, know this was the gauge used by Naim when building AROs.

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Agree with all this
My point was really about finding the optimum point for each of a set of variables (VTA, VTF, bias, alignment, isolation) simultaneously. This, I fancy, is achieved by an exhaustive iterative/retroiterative process which homes in on the best settings/arrangements.

Fair enough although correct azimuth, VTA and a level platter are a given and surely purely need to be established then forgotten about.

Cartridge downforce wise I’m happy to follow the very wise Jason Gould’s recommendation. So the Solstice package only needed a half hours worth of tweaking and a weeks burn in to produce a lovely sound. Let’s see what the Superline adds!

…yes, the whole process is made far easier with the elimination of variables as variables. Happy listening!..and happy Christmas.

Same to you J

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Thanks Richard. I found one on eBay with instructions etc and my offer of £110 is accepted. I hope it’s good - it’s certainly cheaper than the Rega and has a lovely retro vibe. Heaven knows what the gain setting is for but hopefully the instructions will say. I suspect it’s for calibrating the 1.5g with the little weight. We shall see.

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Yes, it’s there to help calibrate the gauge. It’s just a lovely bit of kit.